Gill-drawing machine



June l2, 1928.

1,673,407 w. HOLDSWQRTHl GILL DRAWING MACHINE FiledDec. l, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l W. HOLDSWORTH GILL DRAWING MACHINE June 12, 1928. f 1,673,407

Filed Dec/1. 1925 2 sheets-sheet 2 l mul w 7////,.

Patented June 12., 1928.

WILLIE HOLDSWO-RTH, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

erm-DRAWING MACHINE.

Application ined` VDecember machine.

@ne object oit' the invention is to provide a Vtraversin(gf-mechanism for the taller-bars which eliminates the use of expensive topscrews, or both the 'topand bottom-screws iii` desireth and which operates with `greater efficiency and better results than with the usual screws.

Another object of theinvention is to `'provide a taller-traversing mechanism which may be employed with interchangeable sets et' bars oli diii'erent thickness 'to obtain a varying pitch or ratio between the teeth on the bars whereby to adapt the machine to a wider range oi'` work in accordance with the quality and length of 'the fibers to be drawn.

Another object of the invention is to provide a taller-traversing mechanism which permits the bars `to be removed and replaced by others oi different pitch without dismantling the machine or removing or altering any of its operating elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a taller-traversing mechanism in which the bars are subjected to less strain and wear and wherein all of the operating parts are rendered more durable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a t'aller-traversing mechanism i'n which the bars are more co'mpa-ctly arranged, whereby they cooperate to brace and reinforce each kother during tlieirtravcrse to secure a steadier pin-iield operating onthe material. n l n Another object ot' the invention is to provide a 'taller-traversing mechanism in which the bars are raised into operative position witha straight line movement without canting or rocking, whereb'v their'- teeth or pins are properly projected between the'iibers be- I ing operated upon without raising. or bunching the material above the pin-field.

Another object of the invention is to provide a taller-traversing mechanism which `is simpler' in construction and more economical to manufacture, less susceptible to wear or breakage, and less liable to-derangement than similar devices heretofore employed in the art.

41, 1925. S.eria1 No. `72,555.

Further objects ofthe :improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes aprefer'red embodiment o't the invention as illustrated by the `accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

. F ig. l is a View showing the improved taller-traversing mechanism `|at one side of the drawing-frame` `and illustrating 'the :taller-bars in'cross-section; n

F ig. 2 is `a similar view showing the travefrsing-inechanism ina slightly diiierent positron and with 'the italle'rs removed; Fig. 3 is an end view of 'the traversingmechanism illustrated inFg. `l, shownk with the end-plate or'bearing-member removed to more clearly illustrate the operating parts; Y p s l F ig. lis a.l plan viewv of the traversingmeans at both sidesot the drawing-trame, showing the :Eallers extending therebetween;

Fig. is an end view ot the upper` shaft or spindle of thetravers'ing-means and the propeller-cam thereon;

.Fig 26, is a` slightly enlarged perspective `view oli' the propeller-cam; and

Fig'. 7 is aperspec'tive view showing the y beveled orinclined end portion of the tallerbar.

present invention to provide a means for traversing the gill-barsvor allers in themachine withoutthe usefofthe `top-screws or,

A particular and important .object of thel if desired, vwithout the use ot' .either the toporbottom-screws;` and further to render the traversing-ineans adaptable for the inter change of the lallers of'dilerent types without adjustment-l or alteration in the mechanism of the machine. To attain this end, while providing other advantagesus previously noted, my improved taller-traversing device employs certain principi s as next explained and may be embodied in a mechanism which wil-l now be set 'forth by way of example as illustrative of the invention.

Referring to t-he drawings, inthe 'present embodiment of the invention `I have preferred to illustrate the taller-traversing mechanism as employing theusual bottomscrews for propelling the fallers during ytheir inoperative or return stroke, the purposebeing to lessen the number of bars required in thewmachine;asl will hereinafter appear. As shown in Figs. 1 and Q'lof the drawings, the bottom-screws 2 are of usual construction and Aextend horizontally bellU tween e suitable bearings in the drawingframe. l e* 2 have reduced portions 3 projecting through bearings in the end-plate 4, While their rearl ward ends haveV reduced portions 5 journaled 1n uprights 6. The bottoni-screws on opposite sides of the machine are drivenI from bevel gears 7, see Fig. `1, which mesh with suitable gears on the'driving-shaft of the niachinenot herein shown.

In place of 'the usual top-screw as' generally employed with each bottom-screw my present improvement contemplates fthe use of a straight spindle or shaft 8 having a Cam .10,A to' be later' more specifically described,

- Fig.`1,each spindle 8 has an end-bearing 11 in the end-platee, while being journaled at its opposite end in a bearingv12jin the uprighty 6,'above the bottom-screw 2. At this end of the spindlefS is a spur-gear `lfmeshingwith a similar Vgear 14 on thebottomyscrew 2, whereby the spindle is driven from the bottom-screw in the reverse direction of rot-ation. l

The gill-bars or fallers 15'are substantially the same. in structure as generally used, while embodying certain Vimprovements as later explained. Each bar comprises end-portions 16 g of definite thickness, between which extends a narrower strip or bridgepiece ldrilled with holes for receiving the teeth or pins18 which project upwardly therefrom, see Figs. 3 'and 4.' `As in dicated `in Figs. land` 4, the bridge-portions 17 of the bars are'of less thickness laterally kthan the iend-portions 16, the object being to provide that when the bars are assembled in `close relation forfoperation upon the material in the machine ai space will intervene between each pair of bars along their pin-holding length for the collection of dirt, dust, or short fibers, which are thus allowed to sift down through the bars.y The bars 15 are preferably reducedin thickness Aon their'rearwardusides so that their pins kwill be setforward to adapt `them to Vbe brought as close as possible'fto the front drawingroll of .the machine during their operative traverse.

' The enlarged ends A16,of the bars 15 slide on horizontal strips or. saddles 19- and y20 during the opposite traverse motion of the bars inthe machine. As shown in Fig. y3, the ends ofthe bars 15 rest on the bottomsaddles 19Qduring their rearward traverse through the threads of the bottom-screws 2;

At their forward ends the screws` while the top-saddles 20 support the bars in their elevated position to beslid therealong during their forward operative stroke. The bottoni-saddle 19 is bolted to a ledge 21 forming a part of a block or member 22 projecting from the framework of the machine and the top-saddle 20 is bolted to a rest 23 on the same block. The terminal-portions 24 ofthe bars 15 are thinned down and beveled oif at an angle, as indicated by the dash lines atthe left in Fig. 2, to adapt them t0 conform to the inclination of the driving e face ofthe propeller-cams 10 on the spindles 8., The bars are maintained erecty during their traverse in the to) stroke, but they may cant or tilt slightly uring the inopera tivestroke as it is the usual practice. It is Vthe bottom-'screws 2 rearwardly along theE bottom-saddles 19, and'when they reach the end of the threads in the bottom-screws they are transferred upwardly to thetop-saddles 20. The lifting or transferring of the bars is accomplished through the act-ion of the bottom fallar-cams 30, which may be of vusual construction as shown infFig.,3. As

herein illustrated, the'bottom faller-cains 30 i comprise radiall arms formed with footi nieces 31 set into slots in the hubs 32 of the ottom-screws 2, see Fig. 1, and secured in place kby means of suitable bolts and nuts indicated at 33. Inthe present illustration of the invention the bottom-screws 42.y a re shown ashavmg double threads, and consequently jtwo faller-cams are employed on each screw,

arranged with4 their arms extending in diavmet-rically opposite directions. At the outer ends of the cani-arms are rounded protubcrances 34, see Fig. 3, each of which forms a cam-nose for insertion in under the ends of the taller-bars to lift the latter upwardly onto the top-saddles 20. The preferred type of faller-cam, as herein shown, has a guid ing-fin or flange 35 extending circulinferentially forward of the'eam-nose 3i and offset lIO laterally in relation thereto to adapt it to engage the side ofthe faller-bars 15 to support-and guide the latter as they are raised y'the cam, see Fig.`1. The` type of fallercam above referred kto is illustrated andfdcscribed in my U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,510,550, dated Oct. 7, 1924.

The ends 16 of the fuller-bars A15 are grooved or slotted on the side at 30, see Figs.

3 and 4, ,the groove being fitted to the end of the top-saddle. 2O and acting as a spline or guideway ytherefor to steady the bar as -itis lifted up onto the topsaddle 20. The end ,of thetop-saddle :Q0 :which guides :the bar during its upward movement is :beveled off at 5()` on its uppeiand lower sides, see Fig. 2, Lto adapt the taller-bar to be displaced .laterally in one direction or the fother as it slides across the end of ythe saddle. This slight displacement of the bar takes `place during its exit. trein :the threa,fl-grooveson vthe ybottoni-screws and `during its entrance into the traversing-mechanism 4which pro- .pels it through its operative stroke, this operation :being more fully described hei-ei iafiter. The opposite yend ot the top-saddle 2() is also cut away or ybeveled oit at V39 :to ada-pt the iia'llerJJars to .start downwardly @at theend'oil their .traversing movement just before they reach the end of ytheir operative stroke.

rtlhe `bars l5 are transferred troni their upper position downwardly into the threads ci' the bottom-screws 2 by .means `of :upper taller-earns 40, which ymay be of any usual construction. As illustrated in Fig. 8, the ,upper aller-ca1ns 40 are attached to the outer end .et the spindle or shaft '8` and conn prise opposite radial arms 41, each formed at its outer end with a rounded protuberance or cani-nose 4t2. It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the inner side-face oi the cam-,arm 4l -is beveled otf or inclined slightly at e8 in accordance with theinclination of the terniinal-portionsor :tins 9A on the ends of the ltaller-bars 15, .and also corresponding substantially tot-he pitch or inclination rot the @faces 46 `on the Apropeller-can 10. The object ot this Ais to provide a clearance for the iirst bar in the series being fed along the top-saddle 2O whilezthe next preceding ybar is being carried down across the end et the saddle as `illustrated by dash lines `in Fig.` 2.

The Vpiopellei-cai'n 10, before referred to as the -nfieans for propelling or traversing the iallers in vtheir operative;stroke, and which forms an essential feature of the present invention, is shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6. This element may take other forms than that herein illustrated, but prei'- erably itis constructed of generally circular shape and provided with radiallly-oppon 'site lobes ,44 and 45. with helica'll-y inclined cani-faces 46 and 47, respectively, ext-ending through approximatelyone-hnndred-andditty degrees of the circumference, -';l"lie-ca1ns 10 may be constructed integral with the spindles 8, or they may be made separate vtherefrom and secured thereto by nie; ns of keys, set-screws,

or any othersuitable construction.

Asier/rch taller-bar l5 is 'transferred upwardly across the end of the top-saddle Q0 its inclined terminal-portion or lin 24 comes The rlobes ,are shaped spindles S.

into engagement with oneforthe other ofthe lobes44, l5 of th'ecain `10 dnringrthe'frotar Ytion ot' the latter with the spindle 8. :The inclined face 46 01H17 ot .the cain `will thus :act to=cause the bar to zbe urged toward the lett, as viewed inFig. Land' as the cani con- /tinues to rotate this particular-bar will'be transferred onto `the top-saddle 2O and vits propulsion continuedalong theftop oi the saddle.V :it `will be understood that the `bars l'eed out of therdouble threads of the bottoni-screws at each halt revolution ot the latter so that theykente-r into engagement with the ,ca-nis 10 on theoppositesides ,of the machine in the saine ratio, with iirst one lobe of the-cams and then the, other acting on the successively lifted bars. Now, as the Kbottoni-screws` 2 and upper-spindles Sere veontin'uously rotated the faller-barsfwill be individually transferred troni the` bottoni- Serews up on to the top-saddlesQO and will ybe fed into place one atteranother to provide a. continuous series, Lto which is inn-y `parteci a triiverse motion in accordance with the pitch or inclination of the l,cani-faces i6 and 47. The inethod `of operationr of the complete lnechanisni is as' next more fully explained: g

In preparing the machine for operation a set of rialler-barsvis selected in `accordance with the quality and length of fibers to be operated upon. For example, with vbars ot .1/2 inch thickness thepins or teethlS on the bars, which are usually disposed .alternately in double rows, will be spaced l/2 inch apart longitudinally of the fibers. For shorter fibers a narrower bar is used, say, A:torinstance, a -bar le or d@ of .an .inchthicln and in `seine cases the ringe may extend trein a 3@ inch down to afl/1 inchbar@ In placing gli the bars in the-machine they may he vtaken in groups otsix or eight and simply laid on the top-saddles 20 to extend across between the spindles `8 invthe relation shown in Fie'. 4. `Aider ythe space on the top-saddles has been `iilled with tellers the spindles S are turned by hand to transfer the bars -down into the threads oi the bottom-screws 2., new

`bars being addedeither singly or in groups until the whole mechanism iilled with bars, as illustrated in Fig. l. Asshown in this view, there vare thirteen bars on the top saddles 2i), six bars in the `looltoln-screws 2 and one bar in transit between the bottomscrews and the traversiiig-mechanism on `the lVith this arrangement twenty bars are employed `inthe machine, the 'pinfield being substantially seevn inches long and each bar one-half inch in thickness, so that the space vbetween the teeth, called for convenience the pitch, is one-halt vinch.

For a finer pitch I may `use twentytwo bars of l inch thickness with sixteen in the upper row .andsixin the bottom-screws as before; and for a still finer pitchI may lll) l use lbars of inch thickness, requiring twenty-fourbarsin all' withl eighteen in the upper row and six invthe bottom row as be- -ore I have determined that a single type luse bars of ,'b, 39g, or 1/4inchthickness Ifor pitches within this range, or Il may use sets of bars ot 3/4, 11%, and -g inch thickness With a slightlydiii'erent form of cam to obtain the various pitches in a coarser range.

After the fallers have been placed lin the machine 1in the manner as above described the improved taller-traversing mechanism maybe operated continuously topropelthe bars forwardly ony the top-saddles during their operative stroke, while returning them through the threads of the kbottom-screws to be repeatedly transferred upwardly into engagement with the propeller-cams l0 which act as the single means forlteeding `the bars in their operative stroke in the manner as previously explained. It will he understood, of course, that as each bar is elevated into engagement with the cams 10 itis carried forward 'against the next preceding bar, so thata continuousthrustis maintained 'on thewhole row or series of ybars resting on the top-saddlesv 20. "Ihis ,steady and continuous thrust on the rearward bar of the series maintains 'all'of the 4several bars with their ends 16 in closely abutting relation, so

`thateach `bar acts to brace and stii'en its neighbors to prevent rocking, canting, jumping, or other unwarranteddisplacement of the bars.` In this way I4 securey a: much smoother and `more positive action `of the bars, resulting in a steadier pin-field `operating on the fibers passing throughthe drawing-rolls of the machine V-Statedbriefiy, the gillLteeth or taller-pins willhave a steady,

uniform motion, withoutl anytendency *tol chatter or vibrate to disturb the fibers or throw them out of alinement, so that a more uniform combing action `is obtained which prevents injury to the yfibers and materially improves the product ot the machine. n

Moreover, as they barsare in `close contact along- Vtheir ends the propnlsive thrust is muchcloser to the pin-field, so that the bars will have less tendency to buckle or spring, as is the case when Iscrews are employed to applyv the thrust on the outermost beveled ends of the bars. It is also particularly to be noted that the taller-bars are lifted from the bottom-screws and transferredinto engagement with the propellerfcams 10 without any tendency for them to .rock or cant out of a vertical position. The. teeth or pins in the barsare'therefore caused to cleave he` tween the fibers with a cleanaction without any tendency for them to catch under. the material to pry or lift it up, is; the case where the teetlrcome into contact with the" libers in a canted or tilted relation.

It has before been noted that while I preferred to herein illustrate thek invention as embodying the use of the usual bottoni,- screws,`it Iis perfectly feasible to eliminate the bottom-screws as well as the top-screws.

That is to say,the improved propeller-cams 2,

those in they lower row must he arranged in close juxtaposition with their sides abutting. Moreover, as the bottom-screws act only to traverse the taller-bars in their return stroke,

while they are inoperative, there is less wear travereeand therefore the elimination ot the bottom-screws is not so important. On the other hand, by 'eliminating lthe top-screws and substituting the straight spindles 8 with Aon the screws and on thehars duringthis the propeller-cams 10 as herein described, I

not only save the cost of the screws, but adapt the machine to a wider range of work without alteration or adjustment in its mechanism the bottom-screws remaining the same for all pitches ina given range.

It has been explained that the present improved traversing-me `rhanismy is adapted for the interchange ot the bars yto provide a much wider range in the drawing otldiiterent qualities andzlengths of fibers, The different sets ot taller-bars may besubstituted one for another veryy readily and expeditiously and no other change vinthe mech-` anism is required except in certain `casesto change the-gears which regulatethe draft ratio in the machine. 1 f

The elimination of the top-screws relieves the taller-bars of very considerable wear,'t0 which they are ordinarilyexposed ini the continuous threads of the screws. iVith `the present improved 'traversing-medianism all sets oi fallers of whatever thickness are constructed with their beveled ends of the-same inclination and-size and, being designed for the coarsest predetermined rangeA offpitches,

the thinner hars are much stronger than usual'whilethe processvot' manufacture of the bars is rendered much simpler. y'

The propellerfcams may be made'either single or double lobed in accordance with thetype of bottom-screwsbeing employed, or they may be'of `other form and construe tion in conformity with particular require.

ments. f v

This form of constructionk of the fallarbars with their abutting endsot greater thickness thanI their ycentral portions provides aspace between the bars for the sifting through of waste and dirtl between clean- Will n ing periods, thus avoiding the collection of lint, fluff, or short. fibers on the teeth of the bars it the saine time, the bars are so designed as to bring theirA pins close to the front drawing-rolls during their forward traverse in the machine. i

My improvement also provides that| the cams and bars maybe standardized Within a limited range to meet practically all re'- quireinents, thus avoiding the wide range oi types and sizes of gilllscrews and bars as new used. rllhe invention is applicable to i'iractically all types of drawing-frames and' therefore the usual complication in manu` iacture is avoided, while the range of oper-` ation oi" the machine is extended. A considerable saving in" cost of manufacture is accomplished through the elimination ot the expensive screws and Vthe standardization of the fallers; and furthermore, the capital investment in the `mill or plant us-` ing the machines is reducedsince it isnot required 'to carry seve `al types of screws 1n reserve.

lVhile I have 4preferred to illustrate the improved device as applied to a particular type oil machine and as employing the usual bottom-screws, it' is to be understood that the spirit and scope of the invention extend beyond the present embodiment, and that `tliereiore I do not wish to be limited t the precise torniaiid construction as herein shown and described.

I claim: l

l. In a gill-drawing machine, the combination ot af plurality of taller-bars arranged in contacting engagement in series, and

means acting only on the end barin succes#` sion in the series totraverse the bars-in the machine,

i2. In a gill-drawing machine, the combination of a plurality'oftaller-bars arranged in abutting relation with their sides in contacting engagement, and mea-ns for exerting series, and means acting on the opposite ends ot' the rearmost bar only in succession in the series to traverse the whole series of hars.

5. In a gill-drawing machine, the combination of a plurality of travelling tallerbars arranged in contacting engagement in series, means for displacing the bars from G. In a` gill-drawing machine, tliefcombination oi' a plurality oi taller-bars arranged'r iii contacting engagement `in seri-es, means i'or displacing the bars trom one end ot the `series and replacing them atythe opposite end, and a rain acting on the end har only' in succession as it is replaced inthe series to pro peltiie wholeseries oi 'bars to impart a continuous traverse thereto. Y

'7. In a gill-drawing machine, thecombination of a plurality of 'taller-bars arranged in alineinent with their sides in contacting engagement, a cani -tor rexerting a thrust on the end bar only .in succession to slide the whole series ot' hars, and means tortransterring the bars troni the `forward to the rearward endet `the series to successively engage theniwith the cam. v

t5. In a gill-drawing machine, the combination ot opposite `parallel retatii'igfshafts,

a lix-lurulity oit Ylaller-bars extendingbetween the shaits and arranged incontacting engagement, and camsl on the shafts actin-g1v only on the reariiiost bar in succession iii the series to propel the whole` series of bars longitudiiially oit the shafts.

9. In a gill-drawing machine, the coinbi-4 nation of opposite parallel rotating' shafts, a series of taller-bars ext-ending between the shafts and arranged in contactingv engage ment, means to displace the bars from one end oli the series andrep-lace them at the 1 other end, and cams yon the shafts tor acting loo oironly the end bar in succession as itV is replaced in the series to propel ther hars for-` ward in a continuous travel. i

Il). In a gill-drawing machine, the combination oi opposite rotating shafts, a

arranged in contacting engagement, propeller-Canis on the shafts acting successivelyv on the rearmost bar only ot the series to propel the bars forward, taller-cams at the forward ends of the shafts for transferring the bars downwardly, means to travel the bars rearwardly, and mea-ns to transiter the hars upwardly at the end oi their rearward,

travel to successivelyv carry them into engagement with the propeller-cams.

ll. In a gill-drawing machine, the cornbination oi" a` plurality ot taller-bars arranged to slide in a row, means acting successively against the rearinost bar oiily` in the row to propel the whole series of bars forward, and meansto remove the bars individually from the forward end of the series at the end ot their traverse andto successively replace them in engagement with the propelling-means.

l2. In a gill-drawing machine, the coinseries ot taller-bars extending between the shafts and `iso binationr of a plurality yof faller-bars arranged in contacting engagement, saddles for supporting the ends of the bars to adapt them ,to slide `thereon in a row, means acting successively on the end bar only in the rowfto slide the whole series of bars, and means to successively transfer the bars from the forward to the rearward end of the series to maintain a continuous travel of the bars.

,13.:A traversiiig-mechanism for the faller-bais of gill-drawing machines comprising in combination with a plurality ofthe bars arranged in contactingv engagement, of means for supporting the bars in a row, and helical cams acting successively on the end bar only in the row to propel the whole series of bars forward.

1 4. A traversing-medianism for the fallerbars of gill-drawing machines comprising in combination, interchangeable sets of faller-bars of different thickness, means for supporting the bars of each set iii abutting relation and contacting engagement in a series, and ineansadapted to act! successively on'tlie end unit only of a set ofbars to traverse the whole series of bars in the machine.

15. VIn' a gill-drawing machine, the combination, of propeller-cams, interchangeable vsets offaller-bars arranged in contacting engagement 1n ,series to be traversed by the engagement of tlierearward bar only with the cams, and meansfor transferring the bars from the forward end of their traverse rearwardly into position tovbe successively i operated uponby the cams.

16. in a gill-drawing machine, the combination Lof a plurality of fuller-bars arranged in contactingy engagementin series, means acting successively against the end bar only Tof the series to traverse the bars in tlie maeliine, bottom-screws for returning the bars from the forward end ofy their stroke back to the traversing-means, and means for y transferring the bars to the bottom-screws and froinfthe bottom-screws to the travers` 18. In a ygill-,drawing machine, the combi-` nation of `taller-bars `arranged in series and provided with end portions ofl definite thickness disposed in contacting engagement, and means acting successively against the Iend bar only of the series to traverse the several bars, in tlieinachine, said'bars having intermediate sections ofhreduced thickness extending ybetween their end portions and carrying pins therein softhat when the bars are in operativeposition spaces ywill intervene between'the pin-bearing sections to permit lint and dirt to be discharged therethrough.`

19. In a gill-drawing machine, the combination with the horizontal' saddles thereof, of a pluralityy of 4fuller-bars extending between the'saddles with their ends supported thereon, said bars having end portions of definite thicknessarranged in contacting en-` gagement, and means acting successively onV the end bar only of the series to slide all ofthe several* bars along the saddles, snid bars having pin-bearing sections extending between their end portions flush with the forward side `of the `bars and recessed on their rearward side whereby when the bars Contact a space will` intervene between the rearward side of one baivand the forwardk side of the next bar in the manner and for the purpose specified.

In testimony Awhereof I aftix` my signature.

" i lWILLIE iioLDsWoRTH.

i 80 are assembledin series with their endsyinf 

